Hart's salary will remain $592,250, though he also earns $150,000 annually for media appearances. Hart's contract now runs through Sept. 18, 2018. His deal also provides for an additional year with a $50,000 retention bonus.

Tennessee chancellor Jimmy Cheek said Monday in a university release announcing the extension that Hart "has worked hard to develop a more efficient financial model and has put the right people in place, including coaches, to help reach UT's aggressive goals."

Since arriving at Tennessee in September 2011, Hart has focused on improving a budget that posted a $3.98 million deficit in the 2011-12 fiscal year. Hart also fired football coach Derek Dooley last November and hired Butch Jones away from
Cincinnati.